The Blue Owlhttps://theblueowl.com
Home of the Levee High Apple PieWed, 07 Nov 2018 23:32:46 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8~ Happy November! ~https://theblueowl.com/happy-november/
Wed, 07 Nov 2018 14:04:21 +0000http://theblueowl.com/?p=3407Happy November and Thank You! This is month we think of thanks. We are thankful for family, for health, for a warm bed to sleep in at night and a warm cup of coffee in the morning.

Thanksgiving is coming up and I am forever thankful for my family, our lovely town of Kimmswick, The Blue Owl Restaurant, and our amazing customers. We will be closed on Thanksgiving, but before that day, we will busy making our lovely array of pies and desserts, which will be sent off in all directions around the nation.

Be ready to put in your orders soon! We want to make sure to make a pie for you and yours.

News of our famously tall, flaky-crusted Levee-High Apple Pies, each one piled high with 18 hand-peeled and hand-sliced apples, along with our pecan pies and cheesecakes has traveled around the world and has made her downhome bakery a source for a true slice of heaven.

Be sure to visit our FoodyDirect soon and put in your order. Please be sure to read the information provided about the dessert of your choice. We’ve included information about servings, sizes, shipping and preparation.

At this site we offer our Levee High Apple Pie in 2 versions (one includes a caramel and pecan topping!). We also various version of our Pecan Pies; Old Fashioned, Butterscotch and Chocolate Chip. If cheesecake is more your style, try our Caramel Brownie version or our version that plays on a St. Louis favorite, Gooey Butter. Need a little something for everyone? Try our Mini Pie Sampler of Cherry, Blackberry, Peach and Butterscotch Pecan Pies. Please note that the last day to order online in time for Thanksgiving is Saturday, November 17, 2018.

If you are local, then come on in and pick up your dessert. Give us a call at 636-464-3128 to order! Please note that the last day to order in store for pickup for Thanksgiving is Sunday, November 18, 2018.

I cannot fully express how thankful I am to be a part of your world, but know that each of you are in my heart. And let’s all be thankful that Dreams Really Do Come True.

All My Love,

~Mary

]]>Tricks for Tasty Treatshttps://theblueowl.com/tricks-for-tasty-treats/
Tue, 23 Oct 2018 15:07:55 +0000http://theblueowl.com/?p=3352There’s a chill in the air (finally!), and goblins and ghouls everywhere are preparing for Halloween! Sweet treats and fun foods aren’t just for trick-or-treaters, you can bring the fun into the kitchen for the whole family to enjoy.

Try these tricks and treats:

Chocolate Spiders. Even the tiniest tots will enjoy assembling these yummy little treats, as long as an adult is there to handle melting the chocolate. Never have insects tasted this good!

Deviled Eyeballs. Before filling their bellies with candy, serve up some healthy protein. These deviled eyeballs are a sight to be seen!

Wormy Cupcakes. Older children will enjoy whipping up chocolate cake mix. After the baking is complete, everyone can join in on crushing Oreos, decorating, and watching the worms wiggle right into their giggling mouths.

Mummy Pizzas. Even the pickiest eaters will enjoy this build-your-own treat. Top it with whatever you like, and “wrap” your mummy in yummy mozzarella cheese. Mummy ideas are endless – meatballs, meatloaf, hotdogs, and even brie.

Halloween Punch. Don’t forget the drinks. This spooky sweet concoction, complete with a floating hand, is just the right recipe.

Of course, we offer wonderful baked treats to delight the taste buds of Halloween creatures of all ages. Stop in and see what’s in our bakery case! We wish you a sweet and scary holiday; and of course, remember that Dreams Really Do Come True!

All My Love,

~Mary

]]>~ Fall Flavors ~https://theblueowl.com/fall-flavors/
Tue, 25 Sep 2018 16:50:22 +0000http://theblueowl.com/?p=3241Autumn has officially arrived, and before we know it the leaves will be falling and there will be pumpkin spice everywhere! Pumpkin (and its complementary spice) is not the only fall flavor. Apple harvest takes place in the fall, bringing with it apple butter, and of course the Apple Butter Festival in October!

This delicious recipe from our cookbook Baked with Love will be the perfect primer to get your tastebuds ready for Fall.

Irish Apple Cake

4 cups peeled, chopped apples

2 cups flour

1 tsp. salt

2 eggs

3/4 cup oil

2 cups sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup chopped pecans

Combine the apples and sugar. Set aside. Combine the dry ingredients. Add the eggs, vanilla, oil and nuts. Mix together. Stire in apple mixture. Line a 13×9 inch pan or three 9 inch round cake pans with wax paper. Grease and dust with flour. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes in a 13×9 inch pan or 30 minutes in the 9 inch pans. Cool and frost with Cream Cheese Frosting (on page 5 of the same cookbook).

]]>~ Hello, September ~https://theblueowl.com/hello-september/
Wed, 12 Sep 2018 14:31:58 +0000http://theblueowl.com/?p=3207It was a fun and beautiful (though often quite warm!) summer in Kimmswick, and now we’re eagerly anticipating a lovely fall season. We recently celebrated 33 years of business with a delicious cake and a wonderful gathering. What a wonderful time!

We have many events coming up in our charming and historic town, and we invite you to join us!

Living History Day is this Saturday! The weather is supposed to be perfect, so don’t miss this opportunity to travel to a simpler time. Get all the details in our recent blog (link), and don’t miss the Historic House Tour while you’re here.

Kimmswick Cruise will take place on October 4. You’ll cruise the Mississippi to our quaint little town. Enjoy our historic homes, shopping, antiques, and lunch right here at The Blue Owl.

Apple Butter Festival is, as always, the last weekend of October. This is our largest festival of the year, and certainly is not to be missed.

Of course, you don’t have to wait for a special event to visit. We are here every day except Monday, ready to serve delicious food and scrumptious treats! We’ll see you soon.

In the meantime, always remember that Dreams Really Do Come True.

All My Love,

~Mary

]]>~ All the Love ~https://theblueowl.com/all-the-love/
Wed, 29 Aug 2018 18:32:06 +0000http://theblueowl.com/?p=3164We are celebrating 33 wonderful years of deliciousness at The Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery! We are so very blessed to be loved and supported by friends, family and community, and we thank each of you for your devotion.

Each time we’re acknowledged in this way, we stand in awe of how far we’ve come “From the Kitchen of Mary.” Our humble beginnings and the recognition we’ve received over the years from Oprah, the Food Network, the Travel Channel, the Today Show and many other venues, bring us to a place of tremendous gratitude.

We are thankful for each of you, whether you have connected with us online, dined with us once, are a regular patron, or are a renowned public figure who has helped spread the word about our place in this charming little corner of the world. Thank you!Here’s to many more years of delicious dining and delightful desserts. If our story leaves you with nothing else, let it leave you with the charge to remember that Dreams Really Do Come True.

All My Love,

~Mary

]]>~ Let’s Go Back to School for History Lessonsv~https://theblueowl.com/lets-go-back-to-school-for-history-lessons/
Tue, 14 Aug 2018 17:37:16 +0000http://theblueowl.com/?p=3104It’s that time of year when kids and families are busy getting ready for the school year, purchasing new clothes, shoes, school supplies and more. Whether you have school aged kids or not, you can get into the spirit of back-to-school with a Living History Day in Kimmswick. Kimmswick has a rich history; this Mississippi River town was established in 1859 and is now known for its historic homes, quaint shops, amazing events and fabulous restaurants, like our own Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery!

Kimmswick is on the National Register of Historic Places; 44 buildings in the district have a national historic significance. Many of the restored homes and businesses date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Kimmswick was founded in the mid-19th century by Theodore Kimm, a successful dry goods merchant. At one point, the town fell into disrepair, but was revived in the 70s and 80s by Lucianna Gladney Ross, whose family operated the Seven-Up Company for many years.

Living History Day is scheduled for Saturday September 15th, 2018. This event is being hosted by the Kimmswick Historical Society and the Kimmswick Merchants. We will step back in time and experience a Civil War Reenactors Encampment and historical performances including:

Dianne Moran’s A Mother’s Tale: Brother’s fighting on both sides of the Civil War.

Chris Sutton thrills the audience with his Firsthand Accounts of a Union Civil War Officer

By mid-September, all supplies will be in use as the school year is well underway. Give yourself and much deserved break and enjoy some local history at Live History Day and see all that Kimmswick has to offer! And while you’re here, stop by The Blue Owl. And don’t forget to save room for dessert – our amazing cakes, pies and pastries are definitely worthy of a place in your personal history books.

Of course, remember that Dreams Really Do Come True!

All My Love,

~Mary

]]>~ Keep Your Eyes On The Pies! ~https://theblueowl.com/keep-your-eyes-on-the-pies-3/
Tue, 31 Jul 2018 15:03:19 +0000http://theblueowl.com/?p=3062The Blue Owl Restaurant & Bakery is excited to present the 8th Annual 5K Kimmswick, coming up on Saturday, August 18! What began as a fundraising race a few years ago is also a fantastic community event, filled with fun for the whole family.

If you’re new to the event, I’d like to tell you about the beautiful story of my dear friend, the story behind the event. Nancy Ratliff was a friend of all of us here at The Blue Owl. Her daughter worked here when she was a teen and the family visited often. In 2008, Nancy celebrated her surprise 60th birthday here, and it was a delightful time. A few months later, we were all shocked and saddened by Nancy’s diagnosis of ALS. Within a year she was completely paralyzed, requiring a ventilator and a feeding tube. Her eyes sparkled with spirit and life within, but her family and all those who loved her were helpless against the devastation of ALS.

To assist Nancy’s family with the costs medical needs and constant care, the 5K Kimmswick was born. With the overwhelming support of the community, support was extended to the fight against ALS through the ALS Association. After seven years of bravely fighting this disease with the support of family and friends, Nancy passed away in May of 2016. In her memory and her honor, we continue to raise funds to fight against the disease that took her health, her independence, and eventually, her life.

So far this year, we’ve raised nearly $16,000 of our $30,000 goal. These funds will go to support programs and services for people with ALS. For example, professional nursing services cost around $25/hour. A short break for a constant caregiver can provide stress relief and restore a sense of normalcy and balance.

The annual 5K Kimmswick is a great day of community and friendship, and I do so hope that you’ll join us. The beautiful course will take runners through historic Kimmswick, along the Mississippi River, the Aneuser Estate, and the Windsor Harbor Bridge, the oldest known wrought iron bridge in Missouri. The top finishers in each age group will win one of our famous pies. After the race, there will be food, beer, refreshments, music, raffle, silent auction, attendance prizes, shopping, face painting and much more. Register today and keep up with all race happenings.

I do hope that you’ll join us. In the meantime, remember that Dreams Really Do Come True!

All My Love,

~Mary

]]>~ A Summer Recipe ~https://theblueowl.com/a-summer-recipe/
Tue, 17 Jul 2018 15:06:15 +0000http://theblueowl.com/?p=3013The temperature is soaring, and all the sights of summer are around us – families are heading to the pool or the beach, children are playing in the sprinkler, and you can count on long lines wherever ice cream is being served. Nothing says “summer” like this recipe from our Luncheon Favorites cookbook. It’s no-bake, cool, refreshing and a real crowd pleaser!

Enjoy, and of course, always remember that Dreams Really Do Come True!

All My Love,

~Mary

]]>~ Happy July 4th ~https://theblueowl.com/happy-july-4th/
Tue, 03 Jul 2018 14:54:03 +0000http://theblueowl.com/?p=2970Tomorrow is Independence Day! What fun it is to gather with family, friends and community to celebrate the birth of our great country. The Blue Owl will be happily serving delicious meals and treats from 10am to 3pm on the holiday, and of course, we invite you to join us.

Barbecue is an important part of many July 4th celebrations. So, today I offer these tips to make the most of your time at the grill, as you serve up the most amazing main dishes.

Use a meat thermometer. While testing the internal temperature ensures your meat is properly cooked, it also helps you not to overcook the meat. This keeps it tender and juicy.

Choose the right cut of meat. Very lean meat often dries out when grilling. Look for a bit of marbling when choosing a cut.

Proper prep is important. Don’t experiment too much with spices, especially when cooking for a crowd. Keep it simple. Preheat your grill to ensure it is hot enough before grilling begins.

Ask for help. Grilling experts are experts because they’ve learned from others, as well as their own experience. If you’re a novice griller, don’t be afraid to ask for help, read a few articles, or watch tutorials online before you fire up the grill. There are even special July 4th hotlines set up to offer grilling assistance.

Be sure to stop by The Blue Owl and see what’s in our bakery case. Your guests will be delighted and you’ll have more time to devote to grilling.

Have a safe and wonderful holiday, and remember that Dreams Really Do Come True.

All My Love,

~Mary

]]>~ Father’s Day ~https://theblueowl.com/fathers-day/
Tue, 12 Jun 2018 12:39:27 +0000http://theblueowl.com/?p=2948This Sunday, we celebrate a very important and special holiday, Father’s Day. Words can hardly express how wonderful it is to give honor to those men who have made such a profound and lasting impression.

My Daddy was a kind, caring man who worked very hard to provide for our family. He gave us a strong foundation, not only taking us to church but also living a life of faith. He was a strong, positive force everywhere he went, always smiling and always encouraging others. Though we said goodbye to him in May of 2016, his influence on my life remains profound. I am so thankful for him and the many years we were blessed with his love.

I am also so very blessed to share my life with a man who is an amazing husband, father, and grandfather. He is a wonderful example to all those in our lives and I celebrate the many years we have shared together, as well as the years ahead.

I wish you all a very happy Father’s Day. I hope that we see you in Kimmswick for a delicious meal and a stroll around the Father’s Day Car Show. I hope that all the fathers will teach their children what my Daddy taught me: Dreams Really Do Come True!